Notarial Certification

We can notarise copies of any of your documents and also arrange apostille and superlegalisation services, all without commission.

We prepare all the documents you need, saving you both time and money. Our lawyers can check the apostilles on your documents, backed by a verification guarantee.

Every document we certify will be apostilled in Great Britain.

A notary either confirms the content of a document or certifies the identity of the person signing it. Where the notary witnesses the signing, they can certify either the copy or the original.

Notary or solicitor?

The key distinction is that a lawyer has to gain further qualifications before becoming a notary, which is why most notaries are lawyers as well. A notary public’s chief role is to issue certificates and to verify signatures and documents.

The two also differ markedly in what they charge. For the same task, a solicitor typically charges around £10 to £25 per document, whereas a notary’s fee is usually between £50 and £100.

Why notarial certification is needed

Any document submitted for an apostille has to carry the seal of a recognised organisation or the signature of an official or a solicitor; otherwise it cannot be legalised. Some documents, such as birth or marriage certificates or court documents, already bear the required stamps or signatures and so may not need this extra certification.

Documents that have to be certified by a solicitor before an apostille can be issued include academic certificates, personal documents and company documents, which are not normally signed by an official.

Why pay extra for a notary’s signature?

In some cases your document has to be signed by a notary and a representative’s signature will not do. For basic certification, however, a solicitor’s signature ought to be enough.

If you are unsure what kind of certification you need, the best approach is to check with the institution that is asking for it.

What makes the certification valid:

a statement by the legal representative explaining what the document confirms, the notary’s signature and the date of certification.

Not every document has to be certified by a legal representative. We help you work out which of your documents need certification and which do not, and you will never pay for services you do not need.

A solicitor or notary can certify:

that the document was signed in their presence (where they are authorised to do so)

that a copy matches the original in content, by stating that it is a „true copy of the original document“.

If you would like advice on how to authenticate your documents correctly, phone us or write to us and we will explain exactly what your document needs. We can also certify the document for you.

How we can help

Which documents have to be certified by a solicitor or notary?

Documents that do not normally carry a government seal or signature and therefore need certifying by a solicitor or notary: diplomas, driving licences and other personal documents, powers of attorney, wills, written affidavits or declarations (the original of the document being certified), contracts, resolutions and agreements